July 6, 2020
Sports fans will be relieved that at least one local football competition is returning to the South Burnett this year.
A shortened AFL Darling Downs competition will kick off at Lyle Vidler Oval in Kingaroy on Saturday (July 11), and spectators are more than welcome to come along!
The South Burnett Saints men will be in action against the Dalby Swans, while South Burnett Saints women will take on a combined Goondiwindi / University side.
The day will include a special celebration for Saints’ president Daniel Clacy, who will be the first player to notch up 100 games with the club.
“I never really thought that it would be a thing, that I would be playing my 100th game, when we started seven years ago,” Daniel told southburnett.com.au
Two more Saints’ players – Nathan and Daniel Trace – will mark their 50th games played.
Daniel said the teams have been in training for about the past six weeks and were keen to get going.
“We are very excited to be able to take to the field,” he said.
The women’s game is due to start at 12:30pm, while the men are scheduled at 2:30pm.
This is Round 1 of a 10-round competition but due to byes, the Saints’ men will play eight games: four at home and four away.
“It’s turned out to be quite a favourable draw for us,” Daniel said.
There are seven teams facing off in the men’s fixtures: South Burnett, Dalby, Coolaroo, Goondiwindi, South Toowoomba, North Toowoomba and Warwick.
There are four teams in the women’s competition: South Burnett, Toowoomba, South Toowoomba and Goondiwindi.
The women will play nine fixtures games and have a bye round mid-competition.
Daniel said there had been a strong interest in the Saints women’s team and they would be fielding the strongest player group they’ve ever had.
He encouraged spectators to come along to Saturday’s games but said they must obey social distancing rules.
“And if you’re feeling unwell, be sensible and stay at home,” he said.
Semi-finals are scheduled for September 19, Preliminary Finals on September 26 and Grand Finals on October 3.
- External link: To register with the South Burnett Saints
- Related article: Saints Ready To Kick Off … Whenever
[UPDATED with correction]
